John Deasy Resigns As Superintendent Of LAUSD

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy tendered his resignation Thursday to the Board of Education.

Deasy, 53, announced the move in a joint statement with the Board of Education.

"We thank Dr. Deasy for over three years of devoted service to the District and its students. In that period of time, academic achievement rose substantially despite severe economic hardships, and the students of the District have benefited greatly from Dr. Deasy's guidance," the board said.

KNX 1070's Margaret Carrero reports Deasy, whose contract ran through 2016, will remain on special assignment with the district until Dec. 31.

Details surrounding a possible severance package were not released.

"I want to thank him for his service to the students of Los Angeles.  Under his leadership, district graduation rates are up and achievement scores are higher, a legacy that he can be proud of bringing to the district," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

In his letter of resignation (PDF), Deasy touted progress made under his administration with the implementation of Common Core State Standards and student test scores.

Deasy also said he looks forward to the LAUSD inspector general's review of the Common Core Technology Project, which included the controversial iPad rollout at schools district-wide and said he's confident the review "will determine that there were no missteps on my part in the process whatsoever."

The Board of Education has appointed former Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines, 82, to serve as head of the district pending a search process for a successor to Dr. Deasy. Cortines will begin his post on Monday.

Mayor Eric Garcetti issued the following statement following Deasy's resignation: "I look forward to working closely with the Board and with Ray Cortines, a steady hand and experienced leader who can continue to focus the district on its critical work. Our kids need education and opportunities that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, and I will continue working with the Board and the new Superintendent to continue the forward progress the district has made."

Deasy and United Teachers Los Angeles, the union that represents LAUSD educators, repeatedly clashed during his tenure over teacher pay and classroom size.

His time as head of the nation's second-largest school district  has been mired in controversy over the LAUSD's $1 billion iPad program, and most recently, the launch of the MiSiS scheduler.

David Tokofsky, who formerly served as an elected member of the LAUSD school board, told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that Deasy failed to make many friends during his tenure.

"John Deasy had a lot of vision, a few private funders that were helping him, but he didn't build an administrative team," Tokofsky said.

Deasy came to the LAUSD after working for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also worked as head of a districts in Maryland and Rhode Island and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District from 2001 to 2006.

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